Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.

Claire was at a birthday party a few days ago, so Bryant and I had some time together. We went to the skate park and then played tennis. We also got milkshakes. He got a Hershey chocolate one, and I got a pineapple one. We were near a local mall so we walked around the outside of the stores while talking and slurping our shakes. …

On Sunday afternoon, our family was walking down a city street. There was an old lady ahead. When Bryant passed by her, she made a really nasty hissing noise at him. Bryant stared at her, a little afraid, not sure what her problem was. When Claire and I passed her, she scowled at both of us, muttering rude things under her breath. I knew she was mentally ill. It was obvious. …

If you are a parent, you know what it feels like to let your child fight their own battles, the ones they must fight and grow from. You know what it means to stand nearby, your own eyes secretly watering. …

I took the kids to see an exhibition softball game tonight. It was a good way to end the day. The ’08 Olympic softball team from China was playing against a hand-picked, regional all-star team made up of mostly collegiate level players from Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Bryant and Claire were pretty impressed watching these two teams go at it. …

What time of day do you read this blog? And if you just read it once a week or so, what day of the week is it? I know some blog readers go to particular blogs on a consistent day each week, and some read their favorite blogs only at lunchtime or first thing in the morning. I’m curious when people read this blog… …

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.